CAN-USA 2025 Tariff Strife (split from various pol threads)

[RangerRay]

Not sure if this was posted, but this was written by Stephen Harper and appeared in both the Post and the Globe.

Stephen Harper: The preservation of Canada's existence must be our highest objective

Beyond any necessary retaliatory tariffs, Canada must resist its own version of Trumpian protectionism

nationalpost.com

Can we have him back, please?

 

[Halifax Tar]

Not sure if this was posted, but this was written by Stephen Harper and appeared in both the Post and the Globe.

Stephen Harper: The preservation of Canada's existence must be our highest objective

Beyond any necessary retaliatory tariffs, Canada must resist its own version of Trumpian protectionism

nationalpost.com

Can we have him back, please?

I really wish. Him or Rona Ambrose I'd be over the moon to see return.

 

[Good2Golf]

I really wish. Him or Rona Ambrose I'd be over the moon to see return.

Rona for sure.

 

[Kirkhill]

The Globe and Mail speculating on how to access that 700 BUSD per year of investment capital that flows from Canada to the US

Globe editorial: How Canada can win the race for capital

The threat from Donald Trump is forcing Canada to come up with a new pitch to investors

www.theglobeandmail.com

First, point out an obvious selling feature Canada already has: political stability.

Meh... mezza mezza

As a second major selling point, our political system must – at all levels of government – develop the same steady-as-she-goes reputation when it comes to vetting anything from transportation projects to new energy infrastructure.

Agreed - regulatory consistency - This has to be the number one goal of all governments in the very near term.

...for a third selling point that would make Canada the whole package for businesses and investors: a pro-growth agenda that doesn’t settle for simply mirroring U.S. moves.

....To start, it should go all the way on promoting business investment by allowing firms to claim the full cost of their capital investments up front. A dollar spent on new machinery becomes a dollar that companies can deduct from their taxes today.

This is not a bad idea.

If we can't put Canadians to work then put Canadian dollars to work for them.

 

[Kirkhill]

And in keeping with where to invest....

BP to ditch renewables goals and return focus to fossil fuels, sources say

On Wednesday, CEO Murray Auchincloss will tell investors BP is abandoning its target to grow renewable generation capacity 20-fold between 2019 and 2030 to 50 gigawatts, two sources said

www.theglobeandmail.com

BP’s chief executive will scrap a target to increase renewable generation 20-fold by 2030, returning the focus to fossil fuels, as part of a strategy shift announced on Wednesday to tackle investor concerns over earnings, two sources told Reuters.

BP’s shares have underperformed rivals in recent years and the oil major has already dropped its target to cut oil and gas output by 2030, Reuters reported in October.

On Wednesday, when BP holds a capital markets day, CEO Murray Auchincloss will tell investors the company is abandoning its target to grow renewable generation capacity 20-fold between 2019 and 2030 to 50 gigawatts, two sources close to the matter said. The plan to drop the target has not been previously reported.

Across the energy sector, major companies that shifted their portfolios in response to the need to lower carbon emissions and curb climate change have returned the focus to oil and gas, where returns have become easier as fossil fuel prices have rebounded from pandemic lows.

 

[daftandbarmy]

And in keeping with where to invest....

BP to ditch renewables goals and return focus to fossil fuels, sources say

On Wednesday, CEO Murray Auchincloss will tell investors BP is abandoning its target to grow renewable generation capacity 20-fold between 2019 and 2030 to 50 gigawatts, two sources said

www.theglobeandmail.com

Funny thing.... solar doesn't do too well in the winter in northern climes, and when the wind doesn't blow the heater don't go

Decline in EU renewables increases power prices and fossil fuel use​

Why are renewables in Europe underperforming?​

The winter is typically when Europe sees a seasonal peak in wind power generation. This compensates for reduced solar energy output, which hits its seasonal low period during this time. However, persistent low-wind conditions have caused wind energy production to decline over 20% in some countries.

How are European nations responding to this?​

This reduced output has led to greater demand for fossil fuels, pushing European natural gas prices to their highest level in two years. Coal prices have also increased by about 12% since mid-2024.

Energy costs could continue to rise as meteorologists forecast an Arctic blast that will bring a sharp temperature drop across northern and western Europe next week. In some regions, average temperatures are expected to fall below freezing.

Decline in EU renewables increases power prices and fossil fuel use

A decline in renewable energy output across the European Union has caused rising power prices and an increased reliance on fossil fuels.

san.com

 

[OldSolduer]

Funny thing.... solar doesn't do too well in the winter in northern climes, and when the wind doesn't blow the heater don't go

​

We could have told them that. Anyone with common sense could have but noooooo you peasants know nothing!! We know better?

Oh please now do you have some fossil fuels to sell us?

 

[Kirkhill]

Long before Trump, diverting water to the U.S. was an ambitious vision for the continent

Massive redistribution of the resource, largely unpopular in Canada, could help address acute shortages south of the border

www.theglobeandmail.com

Our water to Americans or, Americans to our water?

As their rivers continue their multi-millennial process of drying up they will continue the process of following the grasslands north. Into Canada.

And they still have more heat and light than we do so they are better positioned to grow lettuce, strawberries and almonds for us.

 

[Kirkhill]

How do we get to 3% of GDP...

Idea from the previous UK Chancellor of the Exchequer (Minister of Finance).

5:15PM

Jeremy Hunt: Slash welfare to hit US defence spending levels​

Jeremy Hunt has said that the UK could increase defence spending to US levels if only welfare spending was scaled back to where it was in 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

The former foreign secretary and chancellor zoomed in on the country’s ballooning welfare budget in an intervention in the House of Commons amid debate about how to fund military spending increases.

Mr Hunt said to David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary:

If the Government came forward with plans to reduce the number of adult welfare recipients just to 2019 levels that would save £40bn a year.

It would mean that on Thursday he (Mr Lammy) and the Prime Minister could say to President Trump that we were increasing defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP or even 3.4 per cent of GDP, as the United States itself does.

That would not just secure the future of Ukraine. It would also secure the future of Nato, which is one of the most important challenges facing the Government.

Mr Lammy said he thought Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, will look at the idea “very closely”. Reforms to the welfare budget are due to be unveiled next month.

What is interesting about that exchange is that the idea was not rejected out of hand by the Labour government just because it was proposed by a Tory.

The other interesting bit is that money that the government is extracting from the economy to be pumped back as welfare payments could just as easily be pumped back into the economy as jobs for soldiers, active and reserve, jobs in MOD procurement and jobs in the arms business building weapons, trucks, comms, UAVs, missiles and ammunition etc - along with beans, blankets and bandages.

 

[Halifax Tar]

How do we get to 3% of GDP...

Idea from the previous UK Chancellor of the Exchequer (Minister of Finance).

5:15PM

Jeremy Hunt: Slash welfare to hit US defence spending levels​

Jeremy Hunt has said that the UK could increase defence spending to US levels if only welfare spending was scaled back to where it was in 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

The former foreign secretary and chancellor zoomed in on the country’s ballooning welfare budget in an intervention in the House of Commons amid debate about how to fund military spending increases.

Mr Hunt said to David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary:


Mr Lammy said he thought Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, will look at the idea “very closely”. Reforms to the welfare budget are due to be unveiled next month.

What is interesting about that exchange is that the idea was not rejected out of hand by the Labour government just because it was proposed by a Tory.

The other interesting bit is that money that the government is extracting from the economy to be pumped back as welfare payments could just as easily be pumped back into the economy as jobs for soldiers, active and reserve, jobs in MOD procurement and jobs in the arms business building weapons, trucks, comms, UAVs, missiles and ammunition etc - along with beans, blankets and bandages.

If we want to be adults we have get off the teet ?

 

[Remius]

‘Not all Americans are bad people’: Diners treated to free breakfast at Windsor, Ont., cafe

Many people enjoyed a free breakfast on Saturday at Windsor, Ont.‘s restaurant, Toast, as an unknown American couple paid for everyone’s bill. The gesture acted as an apology for the rift between Canada and the U.S.

www.ctvnews.ca

Another feel good moment.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Meanwhile, in the home of the Nanaimo Bar...

B.C. man uses TikTok to encourage U.S. tourists to Nanaimo​

A call for Americans who are fed-up with tariff threats and rehtoric about making Canada a 51st state to visit Nanaimo is gaining traction online. As Liam Britten reports, the city and the local man behind the call are hoping for a big turnout.

 

[Blackadder1916]

How do we get to 3% of GDP...

Idea from the previous UK Chancellor of the Exchequer (Minister of Finance).

5:15PM

Jeremy Hunt: Slash welfare to hit US defence spending levels​

Jeremy Hunt has said that the UK could increase defence spending to US levels if only welfare spending was scaled back to where it was in 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

The former foreign secretary and chancellor zoomed in on the country’s ballooning welfare budget in an intervention in the House of Commons amid debate about how to fund military spending increases.

Mr Hunt said to David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary:


Mr Lammy said he thought Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, will look at the idea “very closely”. Reforms to the welfare budget are due to be unveiled next month.

What is interesting about that exchange is that the idea was not rejected out of hand by the Labour government just because it was proposed by a Tory.

The other interesting bit is that money that the government is extracting from the economy to be pumped back as welfare payments could just as easily be pumped back into the economy as jobs for soldiers, active and reserve, jobs in MOD procurement and jobs in the arms business building weapons, trucks, comms, UAVs, missiles and ammunition etc - along with beans, blankets and bandages.

And typical British responses (inadvertent and deliberate) to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer.

 

[Kirkhill]

You know what? That was old when I was in grade 6 and one of my classmates was a young lady with that last name.

 

[Remius]

Trump says U.S. ‘on time’ with tariffs against Canada, other countries

The incoming U.S. tariffs on Canada and other countries are set to be implemented 'on time,' U.S. President Donald Trump said in a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

www.ctvnews.ca

Maybe. Or maybe not. Who knows right?

 

[brihard]

Trump says U.S. ‘on time’ with tariffs against Canada, other countries

The incoming U.S. tariffs on Canada and other countries are set to be implemented 'on time,' U.S. President Donald Trump said in a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

www.ctvnews.ca

Maybe. Or maybe not. Who knows right?

Given that his tariffs on Canada are legally predicated on a declared emergency, and his administration has expressed pleasure with our progress on that purported emergency, I’m curious how he squares this legally? The president’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs is limited by certain laws.

 

[dapaterson]

Given that his tariffs on Canada are legally predicated on a declared emergency, and his administration has expressed pleasure with our progress on that purported emergency, I’m curious how he squares this legally? The president’s ability to unilaterally impose tariffs is limited by certain laws.

I admire your optimism that this POTUS is bound by the rule of law.

 

[brihard]

I admire your optimism that this POTUS is bound by the rule of law.

I’m not the least bit optimistic that POTUS feels constrained by laws. I have zero faith that he hasn’t acted outside the scope of his legal authorities. However, if there’s not a sound legal basis, that can be challenged in courts.

 

[GR66]

I’m not the least bit optimistic that POTUS feels constrained by laws. I have zero faith that he hasn’t acted outside the scope of his legal authorities. However, if there’s not a sound legal basis, that can be challenged in courts.

He can be challenged in the courts but if he chooses to ignore a court ruling he's immune from prosecution if his actions are part of his official role as POTUS...so???

 

[brihard]

He can be challenged in the courts but if he chooses to ignore a court ruling he's immune from prosecution if his actions are part of his official role as POTUS...so???

Sure, but he, personally, doesn’t actually execute any of the directions he gives. Executive agencies and organizations do, and the courts are perfectly capable of temporarily or permanently enjoining them from committing illegal acts. There’s quite a torrent of ongoing matters in court just like that right now.